Shoe inner brace



- May 7,1929.V MINCUTT. 1,111,788

SHOE INNER BRA-CE Filed Nov. s, '1928 INVENTOR: c Mlzelazzgelalafl, BYZZ 2 l ATTORNEY TES yPATENT OFFICE..

MICHELANGELO INCUTTI, QF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

SHOE INNER BRACE.

Application filed November 3, 1928. Serial No. 317,042.

The present invention relates to sti'lfening and bracing means for boots and shoes, and aims to provide an improved device of this character adapted to be incorporated in the heel and shank portion of the shoe or applied in position after the same has been manufactured in a quick and convenient manner.

Accordingly I have devised a combined metal and leather appliance adapted to be placed next to the insole of the boot or shoe and extending from the heel counter and throughout the shank portion of the sole in .such a manner as to afford the desired bracing and stiifening function, as required.

Vxlth this general object in view the inventionwill now be described by reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating one practical and efficient form of embodiment of my invention7 after which the novel features therein will be set forth and claimed.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a shoe provided with interior bracing means constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same with the lining strip raised to disclose the improved device; l

Figure 3 is u perspective view of the device removed from the shoe; and

Figure i is a section on line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Referring now to said drawing in detail, the same illustrates the improved device as` comprising a stilfening member 5 of suitable resilient metal, such as spring steel stampedy out to produce the .skeleton form shown in Figure 3 having the cut-out openings 6 to lighten its construction. rllhe rear end of the stiffening or bracing member 5 is curved slightly upward and its front end curved slightly downward to adapt the same to conform to the contour of the inner sole 7 of a boot or shoe, wherein it is designed to be installed beneath the lining strip 8 and against the upper face of the insole 7.

Along its middle longitudinal line the bracing ,member 5 is grooved or corrugated to form a strengthening` and stiifening rib 9 which tapers towards its front end, and the front end portion of the member 5 is also tapered off to make a smooth lit along the forward endof the shank portion of the shoe as shown in Figure 1.

At the opposite ends ofthe rib 9 the member 5 is provided 'with openings for-rivets 10 lopenings 6 in the metal the proper points which to position the or the like for attaching'the same to a leathler cushioning strip 12 which is also of a .shape to conform to and fit Within the shoe over the heel and shank portions thereof, the forward end of said strip 12 being also skived off at the junction of the shank and ball portions of the sole as shown in Figure 1. The upper face of the strip 12 is `also Vsuitably stamped or marked with a pattern 111 marking the outlines of the openings 6 of themetal bracing member 5 beneath, and thus serving as a convenient guide in nailing the device in place within the shoe. Y

In installing the device within a shoe (if placed therein after its manufacture), the heel 15 is iirst removed and the lining strip 8 raised as represented in Figure 27 after which the device is tacked upon the top face of the insole 7 preparatory to being permanently secured in place by means of nails 16 lirst driven from the outside through the heel portion of the sole, and thereafter by means of nails 17 driven from the inside of the shoe into the heel and shank portions of the sole. Certain of these nails 17 also serve to secure f the heel 15 back in place and it will also be understood that the bracing device is worked and adjusted into smooth-lying position conforming snugly and accurately to the top of the insole during the process of driving the nails 16 and 17.

In the driving of the nails 17 the pattern 141- of course acts as a nailing guide indicating to the operator the location of the various member 5 and hence nails for driving the same.l

` In Figure 4 the View shown represents a section on the line lV-IV of Figure 1 with the exception that the device has not yet `been entirely conformed to the heel seat; this View illustrates the function of the rib 9 as accommodating the device temporarily to the curva ture of the heel seat; later, as the moisture applied to the leather beneath the brace in installing the devicein place and thereafter in the wearing of the shoe, imparts a certain degrec of sponginess thereto, the rib becomes embedded in the insole and the remainder of the device conforms gradually to the curvature of the underlying portions of the shoe as shown in Figure 1. f

It is well known that shoes, especially those of the high-heel type illustrated herein, are prone to break down at the heel `and get out of shape as they are Worn, soonresulting in the shoe becoming unsightly and unfit for further service. By strengthening and bracingl the heel portion as herein provided for,

such fault is effectively corrected. I am aware of course that stiifening means of vari` ribbed plate oi' the peculiar form shown, is

believed to be new, and I therefore desire to vreserve the right to make such changes or modifications as may fairly 'fall Within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is z* l.r A shoe inner brace comprising a skeleton stiening and bracin member adapted to be positioned upon the upper face of the insole oi: the shoe, and. a leather' cushioning strip overlying said member and secured thereto, the upper face of said strip having a nailing guide or pattern comprising an outline corresponding to and indicating the ontlines of the openings in said bracing member.

2. A shoe inner brace comprising` a skeleton stiffening and bracing member adapted to be positioned upon the upper face of the insole of the shoe and of a size extending ruines from the rear end of the heel portion to the forward end of the shank portion ofthe shoe,

vand a leather cushioning` strip overlying said member and secured thereto, the forward end portions oi? said member and strip being gradually tapered toward their forward edges, and the upper iiace of said strip having a nailing guide or pattern comprising an outline corresponding to and indicating the outlines oi the openings in said bracing member.

3. A shoe inner brace comprising a skeleton stiii'ening and bracing member adapted to be positioned upon the upper face of the insole of the shoe and provided with a longitudinal groove or corrugation forming a stiiiiening and strengthening` rib extending the greater portion oit the length of said member and tapering toward its Yforward end, and a leather cushioning strip overlying said member and secured thereto, the upper face of said stripl having a nailing guide or pattern comprising an outline corresponding to and indicating the outlines of the openings in said skeleton bracing member.

In WitnessWhereotl I hereunto aiiiX my signature. y

MICHELANGELO INCUTTI. 

